About us:
We are a kaupapa Māori, not-for-profit consultancy based in Otago that works for mana whenua in the areas of environmental, health, social services, and cultural and economic development. Our mission is to create pathways to a better future for Kāi Tahu, iwi Māori, and our wider communities. We ensure that mana whenua values are authentically integrated into the cultural, economic, social and environmental fabric of our shareholding takiwā. We are driven by the vision of Papatipu Rūnaka and hapū to achieve their aspirations and exercise their rakatirataka, facilitated through Aukaha’s advocacy and support.

We are owned and governed by five Kāi Tahu papatipu rūnaka:

• Te Rūnanga o Waihao
• Te Rūnanga o Moeraki
• Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki
• Te Rūnanga o Ōtākou

About You
You are driven by a passion for transformative community impact, specifically dedicated to empowering at-risk job seekers to achieve meaningful, long-term employment and positive life outcomes. You possess a natural flair for building authentic trust and providing foundational support to clients, designing and implementing tailored, holistic programmes that cover training, well-being, and work preparation. You are committed to ensuring every participant is equipped for success, delivering comprehensive support, including Post-Placement Support, to maximise employment retention. You are a self-starting, innovative thinker committed to a tailored approach to move candidates into meaningful employment. Your excellent one-on-one communication enables you to articulate and drive positive outcomes for every participant. As we are a kaupapa Māori organisation, your knowledge or willingness to learn about tikaka, te reo Māori, and Kāi Tahu whānui will be crucial in this role.

The Role
We are seeking an Employment Navigator – Job Coaching to join our Employment, Trades and Training Team. This role will work one-on-one with at-risk job seekers to tailor and implement holistic programmes covering training, well-being, and work preparation, with a primary focus of moving unemployed participants into meaningful work. This position will deliver comprehensive support, including Post-Placement Support, with the ultimate goal of successfully transitioning participants into sustainable and meaningful employment or higher education.

Your responsibilities include:

• Individualised support: Provide quality one-on-one support to at-risk and disadvantaged job seekers (including long-term unemployed, parents, and youth) to meet their employment or education goals. Assess participant needs and develop tailored plans that integrate a range of support programmes (e.g., training, well-being, work preparation, job search, work experience) to guide them through the journey.
• Well-being and work readiness: Focus on developing practical skills, goal setting, life skills, and mentoring support to strengthen the participant’s overall well-being and prepare them for long-term success.
• Achieve Primary employment/education outcomes and retention: Successfully transition participants into sustainable and meaningful employment or higher education, directly resulting in the exiting of benefit receipt.

Aukaha is guided by Te Tiriti o Waitangi in committing to bicultural responsiveness, equal employment opportunities and workforce development. We offer a competitive salary and scope to develop your skills, generous leave entitlements (including a paid day off work on your Birthday!) and professional development opportunities to ensure your continued growth. With a flexible and autonomous working environment, we also provide staff benefits that ensure a good work-life balance.

To Apply
If this opportunity aligns with your skills and passion, we invite you to apply and join our dedicated team. We are looking to fill these positions promptly and will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis, inviting shortlisted candidates for interviews. Don’t hesitate—apply now for this exciting role!

All applicants must be a New Zealand Citizen or Resident or hold a valid work visa to legally work in New Zealand immediately (please detail your visa status as part of the application process) and be willing to undergo police vetting and any other checks relevant to the role.

Please apply directly via our website: www.aukaha.co.nz/work-with-us/

Applications close on 26 November 2025 at 11.59pm.